XOLOS GET BIG WIN OVER MILLONARIOS

The operative numbers were 3,375 and 8,612. That’s miles from Tijuana, and the elevation in feet of Bogota, Colombia.

Another number: 1-0.

That’s the score of the Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles’ debut in the Copa Libertadores, beating Bogota’s Millonarios on Tuesday night at Estadio Nemesio Camacho in what instantly ranks among the biggest victories in club history. The win puts the Xolos atop Group 5 that also includes San Jose of Bolivia and reigning world club champion Corinthians of Brazil.

Richard Ruiz got the game’s lone goal, in the 62nd minute. Edgar Castillo’s cross from the left side drifted over a knot of defenders to Ruiz, who chested it down, let it bounce once and drilled a rocket off the left post.

But perhaps an even bigger factor was goalkeeper Cirilo Saucedo, who made maybe the save of the season in the game’s early moments. Wason Renteria fired a shot from 15 yards that Saucedo dove to his right to block, only for former Seattle Sounder forward Fredy Montero to send it back with a bicycle kick. Saucedo regained his footing and, sprawling into the goal, somehow kept the ball from crossing the line.

Tijuana midfielder Leandro Augusto nearly made it 2-0 in the 70th minute, but his free kick over a defensive wall smacked off the left post. Saucedo sealed it in the closing minutes with another diving save.

Millonarios played the final few seconds with only 10 men after Panamanian defender Roman Torres was shown a red card for dissent.

What makes the Copa Libertadores — the most prestigious club tournament in the Americas — so tricky is the games fall midweek during Mexico’s Liga MX Clausura season, and the travel is not exactly a short hop on a plane. The next two games, though, are at home — against San Jose on Feb. 26 and Corinthians on March 6.

Later Tuesday, the Xolos “B” team lost to the host Los Angeles Galaxy 6-2 in a friendly.